(by jglillis-1 on 20 January 2009)

The widow Perle has inspired a crew of would-be husbands (and suspects). But what a strange performance! She blames herself for all the deaths, even that of the rose bush, although she's done nothing to cause them. She tries to flee into a convent. She consults Brother Cadfael and then ignores his advice. Wonder why she and her dead husband had no children despite having such a blissful marriage?
The usual solid performance from Cadfael. Other pluses: Niall Bronzesmith and Master Fuller. Hugh Beringar does well with his bit part. Prior Robert isn't quite as odious as he was in "A Morbid Taste for Bones," but Brother Jerome is his usual insufferably smarmy self. Not so strong: the "kidnapper" who brags about his ability to satisfy women, but quails at a noise heard outside his door.
Cadfael is badly misled here and for a long time does indeed "persecute" an innocent man. It's only by luck that he sees the truth when it's almost too late for it to do any good. It's the acting that makes this worth watching, not the plot.